Two students chosen as 2017 K-State Student Ambassadors

Posted October 28, 2016

Two students have been chosen to represent Kansas State University as the 2017 Student
Ambassadors.

Paige Engle, sophomore in public relations, Overland Park, Kansas, and Mario Garcia III, junior in family studies and human services, Shawnee, Kansas, were announced as the ambassadors Oct. 22 during halftime of K-State’s Homecoming
football game against the University of Texas.

Established by the K-State Alumni Association in 1977, the Student Ambassador program
elects one male and one female student each year to represent the student body at
Alumni Association events throughout the state and at university activities.

Engle and Garcia will visit with prospective students and alumni; attend Student Alumni
Board meetings and activities; assist with programming on campus such as the Alumni
Fellows program, All-University Homecoming Committee and other special events; and
assist the President's Office as needed.

Engle and Garcia were elected by a student vote during Homecoming Week from a group
of six semifinalists. The ambassadors serve a one-year term, and each receives a $1,500
scholarship, clothing from Manhattan clothing store Borck Bros. and an official K-State
ring from the Alumni Association.

“Being a part of the K-State family means that everyone’s concern is heard and voices
represented,” Garcia said. “Also, I want to continue the growth of diversity at our
university and to ensure that there is a place in our community for all people.”

Engle added, “Getting to interact with new people excites me. I am able to make a
connection with anyone. I feel this is an essential quality when it comes to being
ambassador."

Typically, ambassador candidates excel academically and are extensively involved in
volunteer and philanthropic activities. Engle and Garcia are no exception.

Engle is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and the Kansas State University Student
Foundation. She also serves as a New Student Services ambassador. A 2015 graduate
of Olathe East High School, Engle is the daughter of Kelt and Kim Engle.

Garcia is a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and a Johnson County ambassador to
the Kansas State College Advising Corps. A 2014 graduate of Shawnee Mission North
High School, Garcia is the son of Mario Jr. and Sandy Garcia.

“Mario and Paige will be great ambassadors for all of K-State,” said Gavin Hargrave,
associate director of alumni programs and adviser to the ambassadors. “Like their
predecessors, they have a passion for our university that rivals the most loyal K-Staters.”